Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Sesotho soundbites by Cllr Paseka Mokoena and Afrikaans soundbite by Cllr Eleanor Quinta.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) will escalate the unjust and unequal provision of sanitation services in Lusaka Ward 24, Maluti-A-Phofung Municipality, by submitting formal questions to the municipal leadership and tabling the matter in Council to ensure all affected households are connected.
Residents of Lusaka Ward 24 in Maluti-A-Phofung Municipality are expressing deep frustration and concern over what they describe as unjust and unequal treatment regarding access to basic sanitation services.
Years after the implementation of a flush toilet infrastructure project in the area, some households have benefited, while others remain excluded. Despite sewer pipes running through many residents’ yards, these households remain unconnected to the system and continue to live without proper sanitation.
To make matters worse, when the sewer infrastructure becomes blocked or malfunctions, it is the unconnected residents, those already excluded from the service, who suffer the most. This has led to health risks, environmental concerns, and a growing sense of neglect among the community.
Residents are now demanding clear answers from the municipality. They question why a project intended to serve the broader community has benefited only a select few, and why there has been no transparency or communication about the criteria for connection.
A formal petition has been submitted to the municipality, calling for:
- A full explanation of the project’s implementation and selection process.
- Immediate plans to ensure equitable access to sanitation services for all affected households.
- Urgent intervention to address the ongoing sewage blockages impacting unconnected homes.
The community of Lusaka Ward 24 feels overlooked and marginalised and is calling on municipal leadership to act with urgency, fairness, and accountability.
Access to dignified sanitation is a basic human right, not a privilege for a few. The residents remain hopeful that their voices will be heard and that meaningful action will follow.